How Can We Show Appreciation to Our Technical Panel Without Gift Vouchers?

Hi,

We have recently finished a big haul, recruiting 15 people in 2 months' time. The technical panel was readily available at our disposal, and we felt that we should show our gratitude by giving them something in return, as this is not a one-time affair.

Initially, we considered gift vouchers, but we found out that the exemption on gift vouchers up to Rs. 5,000 is no longer applicable. Please suggest any other form of reward that can be easily given away.

Regards,
Radhika

Dear Radhika,

You can maintain a scores/point system based on the number of interview days dedicated by the employee. Give extra points to people who come on Sundays or out-of-town interviews. Once a quarter, you can declare the scores and arrange for a get-together party where you can present the employee with some gift vouchers based on the score points (Tax will still be an issue :-)).

Anju

Hi Radhika,

That's a great initiative! Appreciation and rewards need not always be monetary. You could take out your team for lunch at a five-star hotel, arrange for a bouquet hall, put up a big thank you note, and give them some mementos. I am sure they will enjoy it.

Regards,
Rekha

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions, Anju & Rekha. My colleagues have been to innumerable lunches and dinners, and we wanted to do something different this time, probably involving family. We even thought of allowing them to go out with their family for lunch/dinner and then reimbursing the bill.

The score idea is good, but I do not have these kinds of interviews often as we are a product-based company and have a strict headcount. Moreover, I am the only person in HR, and it's a pain to keep track of it.

I also received a suggestion that we could give lunch coupons as they are tax-free. I was told without any limit. I need to check on that. Accor is also giving away gift vouchers which are again taxed at 16% only.

Thanks and regards,
Radhika

Here is a funny thing: I would have added it to the goals (or the job roles) of any good guy I hire to interview a minimum of 2 hours a week. So, keeping it up would be considered during the appraisal and included in the hike given. Other than that, take them all out for a grand lunch and then hand them a gift voucher. This would make them happy and also you too.